Lead Sales Engineer — Custom Protective Packaging

Pelican Products; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with immediate match

Great benefits – Pet insurance, HSA

Wellness Discount Program

Employee discount on Pelican products

Ample parking with EV charging

Job summary

Pelican Products is seeking a Sales Engineering Manager in Torrance, CA, to lead the development of custom protective packaging solutions from concept through production. The role blends engineering, project management, and client collaboration to deliver high-quality, manufacturable packaging solutions that meet performance and cost goals.

You will serve as the primary technical advisor for multiple customer programs, coordinating with Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing to ensure successful

Qualifications

• Experience in technical sales or sales engineering for packaging or industrial products.
• Ability to manage multiple customer programs with budgets and timelines.
• Strong understanding of manufacturability, cost drivers, and production execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of custom protective packaging solutions from concept to production.
• Act as primary technical advisor and day-to-day customer contact.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Sales.
• Design engineered foam cushioning systems and reusable transport containers.
• Support proposals, technical presentations, and customer requirements gathering.
• Drive process improvements to enhance manufacturability and quoting efficiency.

Skills

Technical sales

Packaging engineering

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

DFM

Project management

Communication skills

Proposal development

Tools

ERP systems

CRM systems

CAD software

Project management software

Job description

We're Hiring: Sales Engineering Manager
Location: Torrance, CA
Company: Pelican

Who We Are

At Pelican, we engineer products that stand up to the world's toughest conditions-because the people who rely on us do too. For nearly 50 years, we've been a trusted partner for military personnel, first responders, outdoor adventurers, and innovators who push the limits.

With a global presence that includes 11 offices, 4 manufacturing facilities, and 4 custom case centers, we create high-performance protective solutions that ensure our customers can focus on what matters most. Whether it's transporting critical medical supplies, securing mission-essential equipment, or keeping expedition gear safe, Pelican products are Built to Protect to Equip for the Mission.

At Pelican, your work has a real-world impact. You'll be part of a team driven by innovation, craftsmanship, and the shared belief that when the mission is critical, failure isn't an option. If you're ready to build something that makes a difference, be part of a team that protects what matters most.

What You'll Do:

Design innovative solutions. Lead complex projects. Protect what matters.

Pelican is seeking a customer-focused Sales Engineering Manager to lead the development of custom protective packaging solutions from concept through production. In this role, you'll partner with customers, Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing to solve complex technical challenges and deliver innovative packaging solutions that protect some of the world's most valuable equipment.

You'll serve as the technical lead for multiple customer programs-combining engineering expertise, project management, and customer collaboration to deliver high-quality, manufacturable solutions that exceed expectations.

• Partner with Sales and customers to develop innovative technical packaging solutions that meet performance, cost, and manufacturability requirements


• Lead customer projects from concept through production, managing scope, priorities, timelines, and technical execution


• Serve as the primary technical advisor and day-to-day customer contact throughout the project lifecycle


• Collaborate with customer engineering and procurement teams to define requirements and develop custom packaging solutions


• Design engineered foam cushioning systems, shock-isolated assemblies, reusable transport containers, and other custom protective packaging solutions


• Evaluate new opportunities by balancing technical feasibility, manufacturing capability, commercial viability, and project risk


• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Estimating, and Sales to ensure successful project execution


• Manage multiple customer programs simultaneously while proactively identifying and resolving technical and operational challenges


• Drive process improvements that enhance manufacturability, design standardization, and quoting efficiency


• Support customer presentations, technical training, and solution demonstrations for customers and internal teams


• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and customer needs to support innovation and business growth


• Perform additional duties as assigned

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of experience in technical sales, sales engineering, packaging engineering, program management, product development, or a related customer-facing technical role.


• Experience developing and supporting custom packaging solutions, protective packaging systems, engineered foam applications, reusable transport packaging, or related industrial products.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, design for manufacturability (DFM), cost drivers, and operational execution within a production environment.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple customer programs simultaneously while balancing technical requirements, timelines, budgets, and business objectives.


• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating efforts across Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations.


• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate project profitability, margin impact, risk, and overall business viability.


• Excellent customer-facing communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage engineering, procurement, operations, and executive-level stakeholders.


• Proven problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess technical challenges, identify risks, and develop practical solutions.


• Experience supporting proposal development, technical presentations, customer requirements gathering, and solution development.


• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, resource coordination, and execution tracking.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.


• Experience with ERP, CRM, CAD, or project management systems preferred.

Join a company that truly values its employees! We offer a relaxed and casual work environment, a strong commitment to giving back to communities, and a focus on employee satisfaction. With regular opportunities to share feedback with leadership and structured performance evaluations, we ensure that your voice is heard and your growth is supported.

• Competitive paid time off plans/Holiday pay/extra vacation purchase opportunities

• 401k plan - with immediate match

• Great Benefits - several options including Pet insurance for our animal lovers.


• Health Savings Account Contribution

• Wellness Discount Program

• Global Mental Wellness Program


• Quarterly Employee Celebration Days


• Peer to Peer Recognition Program


• Service Recognition Program


• Exceptional Employee Satisfaction Scores


• Ample free parking with EV Charging Station

• Amazing employee discount program on Pelican Products, Pelican branded apparel and gear

• Employee referral program - get paid to work with your trusted network.

• Prime location - minutes away from the beach!

• Established reputable brand offering premium products - you'll be proud to represent Pelican!

• And more...

Compensation & Benefits:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across severalU.S. geographic markets. Base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The annual U.S. pay range for this positionis listed below. Paywithin this range varies by work locationand may also depend on your qualifications, job-related knowledge, skills,and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. We also offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off, 10 paid holidays per year, medical/dental/vision insurance, company-paid life and disability plans, and matching 401k to eligible employees.
Pelican Products, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.